Monaco vs Lille — Tips & Analysis

Lille +0.5: Lille have Monaco's number, and that is where this pick starts. They have won each of the last three meetings between the two, and Monaco did not score in three of the last four. Lille also travel well. They have taken 4 wins from 6 away games and let in under a goal a game on the road. Monaco are the stronger side on paper, with 8 wins from their last 13 and 2 goals a game. At home they have 4 wins, 1 tie and 1 loss, so this is not an easy trip. The thing is, Monaco have gone cold in front of goal. Their last four games brought far fewer chances than their scoring record suggests. They are also back on only 3 days' rest after a Thursday night in Europe, which points to changes. Lille have had 4 days. Both teams sit level on 14 points, and the last 19 meetings have averaged under 3 goals in total. A tight 1-1 is the likeliest finish, and that result works for us. The doubts are fair ones. Lille are missing both their forwards, Igamane and Ueda, they score only a goal a game away, and they come in off a 2-4 loss to Galatasaray. Monaco score more than 2 goals a game at home, and that would beat us. We are still backing Lille to come away unbeaten.